Designing your home to reflect your personal style and create a comfortable living space is an exciting one.
While you may not be able to hire a professional interior designer, there are some simple yet effective strategies you can employ to give your home that designer touch.
In this blog post, I'll list five key tips that can help you elevate the vibe of your living space.
1. Designing with a Color Palette
One of the fundamental principles of interior design is choosing a color palette to curate a cohesive look for your home. A well-thought-out color scheme can instantly transform a room. In every mood board I do, I start by deciding the energy I want to create, moody, calm, inviting, and playful... which then informs the color palette selection.
Start by selecting a primary color and a few complementary or contrasting colors. Consider the mood you want to create in each space. For example, cool colors like blues and greens can promote a sense of calm in bedrooms, while warm tones like reds and yellows can add energy to living areas.
Don't forget about the power of neutrals. Whites, grays, and beiges can serve as a versatile backdrop, allowing you to introduce pops of color through furniture, artwork, and accessories. You can always elevate a neutral space with a few touches, and color pops, which I wrote about recently HERE.
Overall, the golden rule is also very helpful when you decide on a color palette, start with the 60% - main color; followed by 30% support color, and lastly 10% accent color to spice things up!
You can experiment with free paint swatches to find the perfect palette that resonates with your style. Look nature, sometimes beautiful simple inspiration of colors is just in front of us. But in a more practical one is to search PINTEREST for 'color palette' inspiration ideas.
The ones who have followed me for a while would guess, my go-to one is neutrals; while I always add interest with 'sage', 'hunter green', and always gold or black accents!
2. Layered Lighting
Lighting is a crucial element in interior design, and layering your lighting can make a significant difference in the ambiance of your home. And we have a full blog post where I share all about layering light to create drama, you can read from here.
To cover it quickly, instead of relying solely on a single overhead light fixture, consider incorporating multiple light sources. Because oftentimes what we see is the rooms lack interest, we tend to have one chandelier or only recess lights.
Instead, you can add dimensions by having 1) a floor light, 2) a recessed light, and 3) a chandelier in a living room. Each serves a different vibe, and ambiance setting.
General Lighting: Let's start with ambient light – the cornerstone that allows you to effortlessly navigate the room; achieve this with recessed lights or semi-flush ceiling mounts. And remember, a touch of magic lies in adding dimmers to your ambient lighting, enabling you to set the desired mood.
Task Light: Task lighting steps in when it's time to focus on specific activities – think studying, working, or meal prepping. Pendant lights above your kitchen island or chic vanity sconces above the mirror provide the perfect illumination for these tasks.
Accent Lights: They are there to draw attention, highlight cherished artwork, and cast a gentle glow under cabinets. Usually, this is the one often times missed in the home decor. It adds an artful touch to your space.
Having multiple options will allow you to adjust the lighting according to different moods.
3. Mixing Different Materials
Another hallmark of professional interior design is the skillful blending of various materials. A room filled with pieces made from a single material can feel one-dimensional. Experiment with different textures and finishes to add visual interest.
Below is one example of mixing marble, wood, rattan, concrete, and stone elements all in one room. Having oak wood floors, and a wood accent chair, I wanted to add another element so selected a marble side table instead of another wood one.
Or pair smooth, sleek surfaces like glass or polished metal with rougher textures like wood or natural stone. For softness and warmth, consider incorporating textiles like velvet, silk, or wool. The combination of materials can add depth and character to your home.
And if you are in doubt of which goes well together, you can always go back to the color palette, and make sure you have a cohesive feel of style and colors.
4. Decoration Tip: Embracing Different Shapes & Heights and the Rule of Odds
To make your home feel more designer-worthy, embrace the concept of variety in shapes and numbers. The "rule of odds" suggests that arrangements of objects in odd numbers (3, 5, 7, etc.) are more visually appealing than even numbers.
Incorporate different shapes into your decor - round coffee tables, square throw pillows, and triangular wall art, for example. This diversity adds visual interest and prevents monotony. Adding different types of objects, having higher, lower, rectangular, circles will bring dynamism and interest to your design.
5. Choosing the Right Rug Size
Rugs are not just for underfoot comfort; they are design elements that can tie a room together. However, choosing the right rug size can be tricky.
A common mistake is selecting a rug that's too small for the space. As a general rule, your rug should be large enough to fit all the key pieces of furniture in a seating area, allowing them to sit partially on the rug.
To achieve a well-balanced and elevated look, follow this simple rule: Ensure that at least half, preferably two-thirds, of your sofa or chairs, sit on the rug.
Here I talk about the three mistakes to avoid to have a designer feel including not having small rugs in my earlier post here!
Above is a good example where all seating furniture sits on the rug, enough the frame the space in a rich way.
In a dining area, ensure that the rug extends beyond the edges of the dining table when chairs are pulled out. That is a common miss.
By implementing these five design tips - working with a color palette, layering lighting, mixing materials, embracing different shapes, and choosing the right rug size - you can infuse your home with a designer's touch, creating a space that's not only beautiful but also uniquely yours.
So, get creative and start transforming your living spaces into stylish havens that reflect your personality and taste.
And if you need any help, don't forget to check our services, we also offer a quick call to consult on your design dilemmas through the 'DESIGNER on CALL' service!
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And as always, thank you for being here, in my little online corner!
Love,
xo
Burcu
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